Walmart Bets Big on American Manufacturing

Walmart is a favorite punching bag for many progressives, who are loath to say a kind word or offer to partner.  But their sheer scale means that when they decide to do something good it can make a world of difference.  Their commitment to sustainability and now their desire to source from American manufacturers are two big steps in the right direction.

Perhaps surprisingly, both are not just for PR purposes but are quite  consistent with Walmart's MO.  Sustainability is in line with Walmart's desire to wring out any cost inefficiencies so as to provide the most goods for the cheapest price.  And, thanks to fracking, US manufacturing can be just as cost-effective as Chinese manufacturing.

In other words, it turns out that ruthless pursuit of capitalist principles need not conflict with progressive aims.  Since Walmart "got" sustainability eight years ago, we are much further along in the public conscience as to why sustainability is good all around.  Time will tell what happens to US manufacturing but Walmart's recent announcement surely bodes well.